Ohio State spent $1.6M to fight former band director

by Brooks Jarosz

Fired Ohio State band director Jonathan Waters won’t have to pick up the university’s legal tab despite losing two lawsuits he filed against his former employer. Waters said his legal fees topped $500,000. (WSYX/WTTE)

An accounting breakdown of all legal costs released by the university Wednesday revealed Ohio State racked up nearly $1.6 million to defend itself.

Waters was fired as the band director in 2014 after complaints and a university investigation found a “sexualized culture” within the band. The report highlighted inappropriate rituals, suggestive nicknames and lewd parody songs.

Following his firing, Waters called the report a “fraud” and claimed defamation, slander and putting him in a false light by holding him responsible.